Signal paddle



Feb. 12, 1963 A. L. WAIT, JR 3,076,983

SIGNAL PADDLE Filed Jan. 20, 1960 34 34 WWW-M72777 EN TOR.

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* BY SM? w ATTOR/ZEY hire Efiidfid Patented Feb. 12, lhdd SAY/6,983 dhGNAL PADDLE Albert Logan Wait, Jan, 114 E. 24th St, Tulsa, Gilda. Filed Jan. 2t), 19%, Ser. No. 3,657 2 (Ilairns. (ill. 9-8.3)

This invention relates to a marine safety and signaling device. More particularly, it relates to a marine paddle which is so arranged, designed and constructed as to be capable of use in emergency situations.

it is a well known phenomenon that visibility (the greatest distance at which an observer with normal eyesight can see a dark colored object) is lessened over bodies of water. This is because haze particles are primarily hygroscopic, i.e., they attract water vapor. Such particles act to ditiuse light adding to the difficulty of seeing objects.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a paddle constructed in such a manner that it is capable of providing an emergency signal for boating, canoeing, and similar sports over water where visibility is usually impaired.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a signal paddle capable of use as a signal buoy tor use in marking or locating objects in bodies of water.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, of which:

FEGURE l is an elevational view of a paddle constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view showing a further embodiment of this invention as an emergency signal buoy.

FlGURES 6 and 7 represent additional embodiments to this invention for use with the signal paddle as described herein.

Briefly, this invention concerns a paddle construction in which the blade portion is constructed or coated with a high visibility paint capable of being seen for great distances over water in the daylight hours. Such a device has developed into a standard signalling apparatus, carried in all forms of devices, boats, and the like, used in and around bodies of water. By properly moving or waving the device indicates an emergency situation in which others in the area may readily see to come to the aid or rescue. In addition, apparatus is provided for causing the highly visible blade portion of the paddle to ride upright in the body of water, immediately attracting attention to others within the area in case of capsizing or sinking of boats, canoes, and the like. In addition the apparatus is capable of use as a buoy marker for locating objects in bodies of water.

Referring now to the drawings in particular, the wood, plastic or metallic paddle, or oar, generally indicated by the numeral it) is typically of a relatively short length for easy storage in out of the way portions of boats, canoes, and the like. The paddle includes a relatively flat blade portion 12 which emerges into a cylindrical stem or shank portion 14, the latter terminating in a knob or handle section 16. The overall length is, typically, up to about three feet and preferably about two and one-half feet for ready storage out of the way during normal boating, yet is not bulky or unwieldy for use during signalling. An important embodiment of this invention is the provision of an opening 20 in the handle portion 16 for the attachment of various weights and devices which in water will cause the blade portion 12 to rise above the Water surface. It can be readily appreciated that in such a position, wave action in itself will cause sufficient movement or wobble to attract attention for emergency purposes or act as a marker accordingly. The blade portion 12 is constructed or coated with a highly visible paint composition 21. Such a composition is highly fluorescent under condition of greatest illumination, i.e., during daylight, sunlight, or artificial light conditions. The paint pigment ordinarily fluoresces under radiation of ultraviolet or higher wave lengths.

The embodiment shown according to FIGURE 5 represents use of the signal paddle according to this invention as a temporary buoy when a slack cord or line as is attached at the handle portion 16 through opening 20 at one end and an anchor 23 at the other end, provided to rest on the bottom of the body of water. The line 26 holds the handle portion down, in the water, permitting the blade to wobble and move for re-location of that position. Used in this manner, the signal paddle of this invention becomes a marker buoy for favorite fishing spots, lost equipment, sunken boats, etc.

In FIGURES 6 and 7, various additional embodiments are described for adding additional weight to the handle portion of a paddle 1i such that upon landing in the water, the weight is sufficient enough that it will force the handle down and permit the blade of the paddle to wobble and move up above the surface, yet of insufficient Weight to carry the paddle to the bottom. As a typical example, a weight up to about one-half pound for small paddles placed at the end of the paddle is sufiicent. In the embodiment of FIGURE 6 a small sphere of material whose density is greater than the paddle is adapted to be attached thereto using a bolt through opening 2d of handle portion 16. The sphere shape provides adequate gripping surface when the paddle is used in its normal function of moving boats and the like through water. In the view of FIGURE 7, additional weight is provided to the handle portion 16 by attachment of a metallic plate 32, using wood screws 34. The plate may provide additional advertising space or be used for identification purposes by imprinting one's name, address, etc.

It can be appreciated that in use the paddle of this invention will attract a greater area of attention from the two sides of the blade during emergency signalling use.

Although this invention has specifically described ways in which additional weight can be added to the handle portion of signal paddles according to this invention, this is not to be held limiting as other methods of adding additional weight may be used. For example, leaded inserts may be provided into the handle portion, or fish weights attached through opening 20 by means of a fishing line or the like, the purpose being to provide sufiicient weight of the handle portion which, upon being in the water, will drop below the surface thereof and permit the signal portion or blade having a highly visible coating 21 thereon to be seen above the surface of wate Accordingly, this invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but should only be limited by the scope ot the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A paddle for use as an emergency signalling device in a body of water comprising a unitary blade, shank and handle portions, said blade portions substantially coated with a daylight activated fluorescent material, and means for attaching additional material of density greater that water directly to said handle portion for causing arr/a es 53 a B a substantial portion of said handle and said shank to References Cited in the file of this patent drop below the surface of said water and maintain said UNITED STATES PATENTS blade above the surface of said Water A 1,804,084 Blake May 5, 1931 2. A paddle aecordmg to claim 1 wherein said means 2,543,879 Smokey Mar 6, 1951 for attaching includes an opening in said handle portion 5 and clamping means in said opening directly connecting FOREIGN PATENTS said additional material and said handle portion. 7 4,522 Great Britain Feb. 8, 1956 

1. A PADDLE FOR USE AS AN EMERGENCY SIGNALLING DEVICE IN A BODY OF WATER COMPRISING A UNITARY BLADE, SHANK AND HANDLE PORTIONS, SAID BLADE PORTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY COATED WITH A DAYLIGHT ACTIVATED FLUORESCENT MATERIAL, AND MEANS FOR ATTACHING ADDITIONAL MATERIAL OF DENSITY GREATER THAT WATER DIRECTLY TO SAID HANDLE PORTION FOR CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID HANDLE AND SAID SHANK TO DROP BELOW THE SURFACE OF SAID WATER AND MAINTAIN SAID BLADE ABOVE THE SURFACE OF SAID WATER. 